Klyuchevski, Vasili Osipovich (1841–1911)

Russian historian who wrote widely on the social history of Russia. He was especially interested in the representation of the people, and became involved in liberal movements for constitutional change. He drew up the electoral law for the first Duma, which came into being after the 1905 Revolution.

Klyuchevski was a disciple of S M Soloviev, whom he succeeded as professor at Moscow University. He won acclaim as a brilliant lecturer. His works, which greatly influenced later scholars of Russian history both at home and abroad, include Foreigners' Reports on the Muscovite State, 1866–67, The Origin of Serfdom in Russia, 1885, and Course of Russian History, 1904–10.